When contestants Fil and Joe look in the mirror these days, they hardly recognise themselves – and for two very different reasons!

Fiery Fil, 45, reveals to New Idea that she was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid seven years ago and has gained weight, which she says has significantly changed her appearance.

Meanwhile Fil's husband Joe, 49, is a shadow of his former self – losing almost 10kg before filming began on the reality show.

The Melbourne accountant, who has battled with his weight in the past, is now 30kg lighter than when he was a teenager!

‘My whole life, I’ve struggled with my weight,’ Joe says. ‘At my worst, I was 110 kilos, and I was only about 15 at the time.

‘I dropped weight before I went on the show. I reckon I was about 88 and I dropped to about 82 kilos. I heard the show puts on five kilos, so I wanted to be a step ahead and lose six. I managed to maintain my weight, though. I wanted to feel and look my best!’

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